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Emily Romrell

Author, Mom, and School Safety Advocate

Hi, I'm Emily. I'm a mom to young kids - and I know how heavy it feels when the world changes faster than we can explain it to them.

When my oldest was starting kindergarten, I knew she'd need me as she experienced lockdown drills. I searched everywhere for a book to help but nothing felt right.

So I wrote the one I knew we needed.

You can read more about the book here.

Mrs. Paula Simcox, first grade teacher of 25 years

"Listen, Run, Hide is well written with a twist of humor while addressing a serious subject. It gives teachers and parents a safe and non-threatening way to bring up a difficult subject."

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You want to walk your child through lockdown drills.

But you aren't sure what to say - or what not to say - to keep them safe. Plus you don't want to terrify them.

This book will help.

Learn More

Listen, Run, Hide

School Safety Advocacy that Matters

Along the way of writing my book, I learned about a vital tool that is preventing school shootings around the US - Anonymous Reporting Systems.

Realizing that my kids’ schools didn’t have one, I approached administration to convince them of our needs and the solution. Within months we had one up and running!

Now I want to help you get your school this same resource. Watch for my guide launching soon and binge my social media content to learn more in the meantime.

You reallllly want to just let this pass and not say anything. But a little voice in your head is like, “but this is a really big deal. Should I talk about it?”

Yes! Here’s 4 simple reasons why that little voice is totally right:

1. Your child is already experiencing it.

They are already doing lockdown drills at school whether you bring it up or not. The only thing in your control is whether they’re processing it alone or with you.

2. Kids do better with hard things when a supportive adult is involved.

Research shows that even just one caring, connected adult can meaningfully reduce the impact of a stressful or traumatic experience on a child. It will be powerful if you simply ask questions and let them know you’re there. (And follow me if “asking questions” makes you nervous because what if you start the conversation and then you’re kid asks something you don’t know how to answer… that’s where I come in. 😘)

3. When you bring it up first, you become their person.

This is especially critical if you’re a mom because who knows your child better than you? You can read them, know when they are anxious or struggling, and advocate for them as needed. But you can only do that if you lead out by bringing up the conversation first, to let them know this is something you are comfortable talking about.

4. You can’t count on anyone else teaching safety the way you will.

This was a lesson I learned the hard way. 😭 I had a teacher refuse to read my book because they didn’t like that it teaches that, if there is a school shooter (my children’s book doesn’t use those words of course), then your kid can leave the school if they don’t have other options.

But like… you want your kid to know that, right?

What makes you hesitate about talking to your child about lockdown drills?

And while you’re thinking about it, grab your copy of this safety resource at the link in my bio.

#kindergartenmom #schoolsafety #raisingkids #firstgrademom #secondgrademom

You’ve talked to your kid about looking both ways, not getting into cars of people you don’t know, and how to call 911.

But have you taught them that places that are usually “off limits” become “on limits” in an emergency?

This applies at school for areas like the teachers’ lounge, the opposite gender bathroom, a classroom that isn’t your child’s usual room, etc.

But it also applies to other places in public like a grocery store manager’s office, or the restocking area in the back, or even the somewhat intimidating emergency exits. 😆

Kids follow rules. That’s what we teach them, and it’s a good thing. But in an emergency, the rules change — and if we don’t tell them that explicitly, they may not know.

Your 5, 6, 7, or 8 year old needs to hear from YOU that their safety matters more than any rule. More than staying in their classroom, more than asking permission, more than going to the “right” bathroom.

If they ever find themselves somewhere unsafe, they can go anywhere they need to.

❗️So ask your child, “What are some areas at [place where you usually visit] that are usually off-limits to you but would be okay for you to go into in an emergency?” ❗️

This is a five-minute conversation that could change everything.

If you want something to make it easier, grab the children’s book at the link in my bio.

#kindergartenteacher #elementaryschoolmom #schoolsafety

The “close calls” are DAILY. That’s not an exaggeration.

Hi, I’m Emily. A mom to three who hates gun violence and authored a book to help parents talk to their kids about the lockdown drills they experience.

Kids are growing up with incidents like this each and every day. They aren’t growing up in the same world that you and I did.

So here’s what you’re going to do about it…

✅ You’re going to learn what makes lockdown drills more effective and also safer emotionally.

✅ You’re going to look at your school and see if there are areas for improvement. If so, you’re having an easy conversation to see if they’ll adapt.

✅ If you have younger kids, you’re going to learn how to talk to them about what they are experiencing. Because they need YOU in this.

✅ You’re going to learn about Anonymous Reporting Systems and how they PREVENT school shootings.

✅ You’re going to learn how to check out your own kid’s school to make sure they have one. (They probably don’t.)

Follow to learn about all of this and swap a few minutes of doomscrolling for learning about your kids safety.

Glad to have you here

The “close calls” are DAILY. That’s not an exaggeration.

To the mamas seeing this who have a child that is:

✅ 5-8 years old,
✅ really respectful, and
✅ super sweet, it’s time to have a chat with them.

Your child is probably really good at following rules. He/she probably gets a little dopamine hit when you or their teacher recognizes their good behavior and academic improvement.

But rules have a time and a place.

You’ve probably talked to them about body safety. How they can say no to unwanted hugs or touches, right?

Time to have a similar conversation about their experiences at school. To let them know that, in an emergency, rules and good behavior don’t matter. That what matters is them getting to safety, wherever they feel that is.

Make this hard conversation easy by grabbing my children’s picture book at the link in my bio.

#momresource #childrenspicturebook #kidsafety

If you’ve ever experienced intrusive thoughts about how you’d protect your kids while out in public should there be a shooting, welcome. You’ve found your tribe.

Here we don’t gaslight. It makes sense our protective mama instincts are ramped up.

It’s cruel and inhumane to be raising our kids in this environment.

And you’re not crazy or overly anxious if this reality has freaked you out.

You’re aware and honest and your kid is lucky to have you.

This was a text exchange I had with a friend who is a newer mom. 💔 totally sucks. Can you relate?

#endgunviolence #firsttimemom #gunreformnow

No parent should have to think about this. And yet, here we are — teaching our babies what to do if school becomes unsafe.😭

It’s wrong that this is our reality. And it’s scary. But the alternative (leaving them completely unprepared and alone) is scarier.

Here’s what you need to teach your child before their next lockdown drill:

1. Following directions keeps you safe.

When a teacher or trusted adult gives you an instruction during an emergency, listening to them is one of the most important things you can do. It’s not just about being respectful. It’s about staying safe.

2. Running or hiding inside the school is okay in an emergency.

If something feels wrong or unsafe, getting to a safer place is always okay. Even if it’s a place where you usually aren’t allowed. You don’t have to stay put just because that’s the “usual” rule. Speaking of rules…

3. Your safety is more important than any rule. (This one is important because it’s possible they aren’t hearing this message from anyone except you.)

If school becomes unsafe, you have permission to do whatever you need to do to get yourself to safety. Rules exist (at least in part) to protect you, and in an emergency, keeping yourself safe IS the rule.

4. You can talk to me about anything. Even scary emergencies.

I want to be the first person you come to with questions, fears, and worries. Nothing is too scary for us to talk about together.

These four things won’t just help your child in a lockdown. They’ll help them trust you, turn to you, and feel safer knowing you’ve thought this through with them.

Follow for more tips like this!

#kindergartenparents #schoolsafety #elementaryparents

Research from the National Institute of Mental Health is pretty clear: how adults respond to a stressful situation directly shapes how kids respond to it.

You don’t need a script. You don’t need a degree in child psychology.

You need to be willing to sit in the discomfort with them and say, “you’ve got me. We can talk about this.”

When you become their go to for hard realities, you:

✅ give them someone to share the burden,

✅ give them a role model for how to cope with scary thoughts,

And, when it comes to lockdown drills, you:

✅ give them someone who will teach them the thing they may not be getting elsewhere - that their safety comes first. Always.

It seems simple, but building your confidence in your ability to talk about hard topics will make all the difference to your kid.

#supportiveparent #momhack #momlife

Sharing some thoughts on metal detectors at schools.

#schoolsafety #elementaryschool #schoolcounselor #georgia

Kids are growing up with incidents like this each and every day. They aren’t growing up in the same world that you and I did.

So here’s what you’re going to do about it…

✅ You’re going to learn what makes lockdown drills more effective and also safer emotionally.

✅ You’re going to look at your school and see if there are areas for improvement. If so, you’re starting that conversation to see if they’ll adapt.

✅ If you have younger kids, you’re going to learn how to talk to them about what they are experiencing. Because they need YOU in this.

✅ You’re going to learn about Anonymous Reporting Systems and how they PREVENT school shootings.

✅ You’re going to check out your own kid’s school to make sure they have one. (They probably don’t.)

✅ And you’re going to do most of this by hitting follow so you can dedicate a tiny bit of your scroll time to learning how you can become a crucial advocate in your local community.

I’m Emily. It’s nice to meet you! I’m like you and absolutely hate that our kids are growing up with school shootings.

I helped my local community make changes so we have an anonymous tip line and our drills are safer and more effective. Now I want to help you do the same.

Hit follow and know that I’m always in your corner as you learn and advocate!

Tell me your opinion on policies like that one in GA that would require metal detectors at all schools…

Do you like it? Hate it? Somewhere in the middle?

Tell me allll your thoughts in the comments!

Anonymous reporting systems do so much good for school culture and they also have PREVENTED PLANNED SCHOOL SHOOTINGS! 🤯

I helped my local school district implement a reporting system for the first time and now I’m on a mission to help you do the same.

Want me to look at your school district? Put the name in my comments or DMs and I’ll add you to my list!

Or come to my free workshop tonight (2/26) where we’ll be diving deeper into all this. I expect we’ll have time at the end to look at your district together too! Register at the link in my bio.

Also, to the person who requested the assessment of Oak Park Schools… Your state has an awesome anonymous reporting system that is free to all school districts! Google “Safe 2 Tell Illinois” and see if your administration will meet with you to discuss. Reach out to me if you get stuck or get in your head! 😘

#elementaryschool #highschool #middleschool #schoolsafety

Want me to look at your school district? Put the district name in my comments or DMs and I’ll add you to my list!

Or come to my free workshop tonight where we’ll be diving deeper into all this. I expect we’ll have time at the end to look at your district together too! Register at the link in my bio.

Also, to the person who requested the assessment of Oak Park Schools… Illinois has an awesome anonymous reporting system that is free to all school districts! Google “Safe 2 Tell Illinois” and see if your administration will meet with you to discuss. Reach out to me if you get stuck or get in your head! 😘

#elementaryschool #highschool #middleschool #schoolsafety

If you think of it that way, it’s pretty wild.

Like, the heartbreak you experience after each school shooting? How the news of one makes it hard for you to show up in your life?

There are 19 times you almost went through that but didn’t because someone stopped the shooting.

And then you never even knew that that almost happened…

Anonymous reporting systems were created, in part, because they identify the warning signs that someone is on a pathway to violence.

But they do lots of other amazing things like help with bullying prevention, decrease drug use, prevent suicide, and generally help with any issues teens may face today.

But so many schools still don’t have one of these.

Does yours?

If you can’t answer that with a confident “yes!” Then hit follow to learn more about what these are, what makes one good, and how to get your school one if they don’t already have it.

#safeschools #kidssafety #momtip

The Practical School Safety Workshop is tonight! Register at the link in my bio or stories!

Did you miss it and you’re seeing this after the fact? DM me and ill send you the link to the replay.

Some schools think unannounced lockdown drills give them a better picture of ‘real readiness.’ They want to see how staff and students respond when they don’t know it’s coming.

But here’s what they’re actually doing:

❌ They’re traumatizing students and teachers every single time. The benefit does NOT outweigh the cost.

❌ They’re destroying trust. When you tell teachers and students, ‘this is not a drill, this is not a drill… just kidding, it WAS a drill,” you’ve taught them not to believe you. So when a REAL emergency happens, they won’t know if you’re serious or playing games again.

❌ They’re preventing parents from supporting their kids. Parents can’t help their children process a scary experience if they don’t even know it happened. Step 1 for any parent who wants to support their kid through lockdown drills: KNOW when the drill is happening so you can talk about it beforehand.

We haven’t met so hi, I’m Emily. I helped my kids’ school add transparency to their drilling process.

Less trauma for my kids and their teachers. ✅ More effective emergency planning. ✅

Now I want to help you do the same.

Come to my free workshop, Tuesday February, 24 and Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 EST on zoom.

✅ You’ll learn what makes lockdown drills more effective and also safer emotionally.

✅ You’ll look at your school and see if there are areas for improvement. If so, you’ll have an easy conversation to see if they’ll adapt.

✅ If you have younger kids, you’ll learn how to talk to them about what they are experiencing. Because they need YOU in this. No one will teach them about safety like you.

✅ You’ll learn about Anonymous Reporting Systems and how they PREVENT school shootings.

✅ You’ll check out your own kid’s school to make sure they have one. (They probably don’t.)

Register at the link in my bio and I’ll help you with all of this! Just cause i hate school shootings and the trauma they bring.

#lockdowndrills #schoolsafety #parentadvocate

It’s so simple but soooo overlooked.

The day of the Parkland shooting, the school held a fire drill.

Just a regular old fire drill. Alarm went off. Everyone evacuated. Ya Dee Da..

But then, later in the afternoon, the shooting started.

And (experts believe) either smoke from the gun or debris from the ceiling set off the fire alarms.

The emergency was real now. But everyone was confused.

This caused even more chaos in the midst of a real emergency. It caused people to behave as though they were participating in a fire drill when in reality they were experiencing a school shooting! 😭

I’m a parent to young kids. When I learned this story, I reached out to my kid’s school and asked if they would add clarity to their drills by ending with, “there will be no more drills today.”

Such a simple phrase. But critical and powerful.

Hi, I’m Emily. I help parents and teachers navigate lockdown drills without the fear and guesswork.

Follow along to become the grown up who doesn’t just survive lockdown drills - but actually helps her students or kids be empowered and feel safe.

#firstgradeteacher #secondgradeteacher #kindergartenteachers #momsofinstagram

In case you missed it, that was four instances of gun owners either willfully or inadvertently breaking gun laws by bringing their weapons onto school grounds.

That’s nearly one per day this week.

To say nothing of the many stories in this round up of gun owners who allowed (either willfully or inadvertently) for minors to have access to their weapons. 😩

Along that note, did you catch that story out of Jackson, Michigan? The school district is considering sending home notices to all parents and guardians informing them about safe storage requirements under Michigan law.

Pretty cool considering gun owners are breaking federal gun laws about once per day nationally, and allowing minors to access their firearms more frequently than that.

Kids are growing up with incidents like this each and every day. They aren’t growing up in the same world that you and I did.

So here’s what you’re going to do about it…

✔️ You’re going to learn what makes lockdown drills more effective and also safer emotionally.

✔️ You’re going to look at your school and see if there are areas for improvement. If so, you’re having an easy conversation to see if they’ll adapt.

✔️ If you have younger kids, you’re going to learn how to talk to them about what they are experiencing. Because they need YOU in this.

✔️ You’re going to learn about Anonymous Reporting Systems and how they PREVENT school shootings.

✔️ You’re going to check out your own kid’s school to make sure they have one. (They probably don’t.)

And you’re doing almost all of this from a two hour zoom workshop with me. 😆

You’re busy. But not too busy for your kid’s safety.

Join me this coming Tuesday and Thursday evening and we’ll talk about it all.

Register at the link in my bio. It’s totally free. I just want to help you help your kid be safer and supported.

#fyp #formoms #schoolsafety

If this is you, I want you to hear two things.

First — the fact that you’re even thinking about this means you’re already showing up for your kid in a really important way.

Second — this worry makes complete sense. You’ve worked hard to make school feel like a safe, happy place. The last thing you want to do is be the one who introduces fear into that picture.

Here’s what’s actually true though: kids already know something is going on. They hear things. They notice adult discomfort. They pick up on the unease in the room during a drill even when no one explains what’s happening.

The absence of a conversation doesn’t protect them from anxiety — it just means they navigate it alone.

What actually buffers kids from fear and trauma isn’t keeping them in the dark. It’s having YOU in their corner by giving them honest, age-appropriate information and telling them exactly what to do to keep themselves safe.

It’s modeling how to live a rich, beautiful life even with the uncertainty of today.

It’s showing them that scary things can be talked about. That you have room to hold their fears.

It’s teaching them that there is nothing more important than their safety. And trust me, that isn’t a message you can count on them getting from anyone else besides you.

Hi, I’m Emily. A mom of three who looked for a book about lockdown drills that would teach my kids their safety was the most important thing. When I couldn’t find one, I partnered with highly experienced leaders in school safety to write it.

I went on to help my kids school make changes to their lockdown drill protocol to increase safety and decrease trauma.

I also convinced my school district to adopt a system designed to catch warning signs and PREVENT shootings.

Next week I’m hosting a free workshop specifically about all this.

Don’t leave your kid’s safety in the hands of someone else. Give me two hours of your time and I promise I’ll make it worth it!

Register at the link in my bio and feel free to DM or comment with questions.

#schoolsafety #elementaryparents #lockdowndrill

Every single one of these organizations agrees: lockdown drills should be announced in advance.

Here’s why it matters so much.

• Announced drills protect students and teachers from trauma.

A surprise lockdown drill can feel terrifyingly real. The stress response their body experiences doesn’t know it’s a practice run. Traumatizing people in the name of “preparedness” is not a trade-off worth making.

• Announced drills protect the integrity of a real emergency.

When schools run unannounced drills, they train people to hear “this is not a drill” and wonder — is it real this time, or are we being tested again? That doubt in a genuine emergency is dangerous. Trust is everything.

• Announced drills give parents and guardians a critical window to support their kids.

We can lead out in safety conversations, showing our kids they have a stable, and consistent grownup to turn to. Plus announced drills give families who have experienced trauma privately a chance to ask for accommodations.

If your school is still running unannounced drills, check out the blog post at the link in my bio. It will provide you with sources you can take to your school.

If you saying, “hey, these drills are terrifying and problematic” hasn’t been enough, maybe they’ll listen to several reputable organizations.

#lockdowndrills #schoolsafety #publicschools #privateschools

I was just like you. A mom to a young kid who was experiencing lockdown drills and struggling with how to talk to them about it.

You’ve checked amazon and your local library for books about lockdown drills but here’s the thing.

All you’ve found are books with a heavy imaginative element (woodland creatures, people with special powers, etc.) 🐰🐿️

And while those are cute, you know your kid needs your honesty. Because more than ANYTHING, you want them to leave this conversation trusting you.

Or you’ve found books that don’t go deep enough and answer the hard questions that your kid will ask. You definitely don’t want to be caught stammering… 😬

During its creation, I ensured this lockdown drill book would address these main issues.

📖It’s honest but remains age-appropriate by not oversharing. Just the basics.

📖 Well, the basics, plus an Author Note at the back to help you navigate the tricky questions. Cause I know you need both. 😘

Now showing up for your child is as easy as storytime.

Grab your copy at the link in my bio.

#hardtopcis #author #parenttips #momtip #picturebook

Any one of these is really powerful!

All six together and the right choice becomes very clear.

Hey teacher, I see you…. How your hands slightly tremble as you lock your door and shut off the lights.

Because you have no idea if rhe lockdown is real or if it’s another one of the gosh dang drills that administration likes to pretend are real so they can “assess your readiness.” 🙄

And that sucks. 😢 you don’t deserve to be traumatized over and over in the name of safety.

What’s more, so many credible organizations are calling for transparency in your school’s drilling practices.

You can find a list of them in a blog post at the link in my bio including links.

But really you should just come to my FREE Practical School Safety Challenge in a week.

A two day event designed to be your crash course on all things teaching-in-the-era-of-school-shootings. 😭

Perfect for anyone who wants to have the best possible situation at their school without sinking a ton of time thinking and learning about this stuff.

Session one will focus on best practices for lockdown drills that all safety experts agree on. These recommendations make drills more emotionally safe for you and your students while also increasing effectiveness. Win win.

We’ll also discuss how to support early elementary students in their first experiences with these drills. You can hop off if that doesn’t apply to you.

Session two will be all about Anonymous Reporting Systems, including how to know if your system is good and what to do if it’s not.

Each session is one hour in the evening over zoom. Like I said, we’ll cover a lot of ground without sinking a bunch of time into it. 😉

I promise to make it quick and painless. Register at the link in my bio. And thanks for being a teacher! 🫶

#teachersofinstagram #elementaryschoolteacher #middleschoolteachers #highschoolteachers

It has to do with MAKING YOUR WORKPLACE safer yet so many schools, especially rural schools, don’t have one.

It’s an Anonymous Reporting System and they were designed, in part, because they prevent school shootings.

As of today, one system alone has prevented 19 school shootings! 🤯

I worked with my rural school to get one implemented and within the first five weeks they responded to nine “life-safety” tips!

So the question is… does your school have one?

Your answer should be a quick and confident “yes!”

If not, something’s not right so hit follow because we need to look at it.

Also, I’d like to invite you to join my free Practical School Safety Challenge in about a week.

A two day event designed to be your crash course on all things teaching-in-the-era-of-school-shootings. 😭

Perfect for anyone who wants to have the best possible situation at their school without sinking a ton of time thinking and learning about this stuff.

Session one will focus on best practices for lockdown drills that all safety experts agree on. These recommendations make drills more emotionally safe for you and your students while also increasing effectiveness. Win win.

We’ll also discuss how to support early elementary students in their first experiences with these drills. You can hop off if that doesn’t apply to you.

Session two will be all about Anonymous Reporting Systems including how to know if your system is good and what to do if it’s not.

Each session is one hour in the evening over zoom. Like I said, we’ll cover a lot of ground without sinking a bunch of time into it. 😉

What’s the catch? No catch really. Some of you may find my children’s picture book helpful and choose to buy it or tell your students about it.

Some of you may choose to follow me and read my novels in several years when I switch to writing for fun.

But you certainly don’t have to do either of those things. The training is free and open to anyone.

I just hate school shootings and scary drills. So maybe that’s the catch. We work together to make your school better and then I like my environment a little more. 😆

Register at the link in my bio.

#ruralschool #elementaryschool #ruralteacher

Going LIVE to tell you all about the totally free “Practical School Safety Challenge” happening on February 24!

#schoolteachers #schoolsafety #firstgrade #secondgrade

This is exactly why I do what I do.

This news is horrific.

💔 the families who lost someone.

💔 the survivors who will carry this trauma.

💔 the community that will never be the same.

We need school shootings to stop.

For the first time, I’m launching “The Practical School Safety Challenge for Teachers.”

A free event where we’ll talk about everything your school should be doing to handle this reality well that they probably haven’t thought of.

We’ll talk:

• Lockdown drill practices that all experts agree on but are so easily overlooked,

• Anonymous reporting systems and why ALL schools need one

• How to talk to young kids about this environment

Register at the link in my stories.

#tumblerridge #schoolsafety #teachersofinstagram

It used to be so straightforward. 1) alarm sounds, 2) you line up your students, 3) you evacuate.

But you’re teaching in a different era now with new safety issues. 😭

In 2018, the fire alarm at Parkland went off during the shooting—triggered by smoke and dust from the gunfire. Students flooded into the hallways thinking an evacuation was in order.

Teachers had to make an impossible choice in real-time: Follow fire protocol or follow active shooter protocol?

You shouldn’t have to make that call in the moment.

After Parkland, Indiana changed their guidance. They now allow schools to use “positive sequence” fire alarm systems. It give schools a brief window to investigate before automatic evacuation.

Here’s how it works:

When a fire alarm is activated, a designated official has 15 seconds to acknowledge it.

Then they have up to 3 minutes to investigate whether there’s an intruder. During this time, no one is evacuating. They are in classrooms with doors locked.

A formal lockdown is initiated if needed. Otherwise, the whole school begins an evacuation by the time the investigation is done or three minutes is up, whichever comes first.

This system, or one like it, makes so much sense! I mean think about it…

Do you know when a student was last killed in a school fire? It was in the 1950s!

You know when the last time a student was killed by a gun at school? About two months ago. 💔💔

This isn’t about ignoring fire safety. It’s about adapting to today.

Many schools have also removed publicly accessible fire alarm pull stations (where building codes allow) and rely on automatic smoke detectors and sprinkler systems to detect real fires.

If your school hasn’t updated their fire alarm protocols since the era of school shootings began, it’s worth the conversation with your administration and fire marshals.

We haven’t met yet so, hi. I’m Emily. I help parents and teachers advocate for safety changes that are often over looked. Follow so we can make your school safer!

#elementaryschool #schoolsafety #firesafety

We haven’t met yet so, hi. I’m Emily. I help teachers explain lockdown drills to young students (K-3) in a way that supports the child, not traumatizes them.

It’s not the solution to our gun violence crisis, but it can help the kids.

Supportive adults can make a huge positive impact during stressful experiences. So what you say and do in your classroom matters.

On this page we also talk about the need for your school to have more transparent lockdown drill procedures, a functioning anonymous reporting system, and more.

Plus, we do quick news roundups like this one that help you operate with a full understanding of your environment without being totally overwhelmed.

Follow along to become a more informed, valuable resource to your school. And thanks a million for being a teacher! 🫶

#ruralschool #schoolsafety #elementaryschool #schoolcounselor

All in a week’s work! 🫠😱

Tap and hold to pause.

If we haven’t met yet, hi. I’m Emily. I help teachers explain lockdown drills to young students (K-3) in a way that supports the child, not traumatizes them.

It’s not the solution to our gun violence crisis, but it can help the kids.

Supportive adults can make a huge positive impact during stressful experiences. What you say and do in your classroom matters.

On this page we also talk about the need for your school to have more transparent lockdown drill procedures, a functioning anonymous reporting system, and more.

Plus, we do quick news roundups like this one that help you operate with a full understanding of your environment without being totally overwhelmed.

If you believe we should be doing more about our gun issue, follow along and never again let anyone make you question how big an issue this actually is. 😘

#elementaryschools #schoolsafety #gunreformnow

Your willingness to talk about hard topics matters more than you realize.

When you check in with your students after a lockdown drill, you’re doing something powerful.

• You’re showing them that difficult feelings don’t need to be carried alone.

• You’re teaching them that confusion and fear are understandable.

• You’re modeling that talking about those feelings is healthy.

Research shows that kids handle stressful experiences better when they have supportive adults in their lives.

Just one caring adult who’s willing to have hard conversations can make a measurable difference in how a child copes with trauma and stress.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to listen and respond with honesty and care.
That’s what makes the difference.

And if you’re a teacher of grades k-3, you don’t have to carry this alone. Grab the picture book at the link in my bio.

I wrote it with the help of the creator of the FbI’s active shooter program so you can be sure it’s accurate.

#lockdowndrills #teachersofinstagram #firstgradeteacher

(And to the mama that’s lurking on these posts, I see you sis. 😘 My content is written for teachers but my book was designed FOR YOU! To get you off the sidelines. To help you show up for your kid as they do lockdown drills. Because YOU are the one giving them consistent support year after year, not their teacher. Teachers change. YOU need to be ready to handle this. Grab it at the link in my bio and make it easy on yourself. ❤️)

Teacher, you’ve been told to teach your students to go to the corner, sit quietly, and wait.

And that works… if the bad guy never gets close to your classroom.

If every single student is already inside when the drill starts.

If everything goes exactly as planned.

But what about the kid who’s in the bathroom?

The student who was sent to the office right before the alarm went off?

“Just sit quietly in the corner” doesn’t prepare them for that.

And when you don’t give them a plan for those scenarios, you’re leaving them alone with their fear. While you talk, they’ll wonder, “What do I do if I’m stuck?”

Here’s the truth your administrator probably didn’t tell you: Physical safety is more important than rules.

Your students need to know:

✅ If you’re in the hallway, try to get into ANY classroom before doors lock—even if it’s not yours

✅ If that doesn’t work, go into ANY room that will keep you safe: the bathroom, teacher’s lounge, principal’s office, even the kitchen

✅ You can even leave the school altogether if that’s what keeps you safe

✅ Don’t worry about getting lost or telling someone where you are going first—just get to safety, and grownups will find you after

This is about empowering them.

When you teach your students that their safety comes first—above rules, above being polite, above everything—you give them the critical thinking skills they need to protect themselves.

And I know this feels heavy. I know you’re scared of saying the wrong thing.

We haven’t met so hi, I’m Emily. I help K-3 teachers talk to their students about lockdown drills without the fear and guesswork.

Follow along to become the teacher who doesn’t just muddle through lockdown drills—but actually helps her students be empowered and feel safe.

#kindergartenteacher #firstgradeteacher #thirdgradeteacher

Your current self feels a growing ball of panic in your stomach leading up to the drill. You’re wondering:

• “What if they ask something I can’t answer?”
•”What if I say the wrong thing and traumatize them?”
•“What if they ask about the bad guy getting into our classroom and I freeze?”

Your next-level self? She’s calm. Because she knows the answer.

Here’s what I need you to understand:

You don’t need to memorize a script for every possible question your students might ask. You just need to know how to do TWO things:

1. Reassure them with context

When kids ask scary questions, they need reassurance. Give them perspective by pointing out all the safety things we do “just in case”:

∙ We wear seatbelts
∙ We have smoke alarms
∙ We practice fire drills

Some of these emergencies are more common than others. Falling off your bike happens pretty often. Building fires are much rarer. Needing a lockdown drill is very, very rare.

This helps kids understand: We practice for emergencies, but that doesn’t mean they happen all the time.

2. Empower them to put their safety first

The second thing kids need is empowerment—not just instructions to sit quietly and wait.

So when they ask “what if the bad guy gets in our classroom?” you say:

✨“You do whatever you think will keep you safe. Do everything you can to get out of the room into a safer room, or even leave the school altogether. Your safety is the most important thing—more important than rules, more important than staying in ‘allowed’ places. Just get to safety, and grownups will find you after.”✨

That’s it. That’s the answer.

You’re not teaching them to fight. You’re teaching them to think critically and trust their instincts.

When you do these two things—reassure them with context AND empower them to put safety first—you give your students exactly what they need:

Follow for more safety tips to help you become a valuable resource to your school!

The balance of being honest yet not oversharing is critical.

It’s tricky at first but once you’ve got it down it’s 👌

#iceout #minneapolis #iceoutofmn

Columbia University tracked 2,000 people from childhood into young adulthood. They wanted to know what made the difference for kids who experienced trauma and adversity.

The answer was clear: children who had at least one positive, committed adult relationship were less likely to develop depression, anxiety, and stress later in life.

It didn’t matter if that adult was a parent or not.

What mattered was that the relationship existed.

HeadStart.gov confirms this: a positive relationship with even one caring adult can help reduce the effect of trauma on a child’s life.

And the National Institute of Mental Health found that how adults respond to trauma strongly influences how children react to it.

Your students are experiencing lockdown drills.

They’re practicing for an emergency that shouldn’t exist but does.

And they need you.

Your ability to talk to them honestly, answer their hard questions, and create a sense of safety in your classroom matters more than you know.

You’re not just their teacher—you’re building resilience that will follow them into adulthood.

This is why I do what I do. Because teachers like you deserve support in having these hard conversations.

Because your students deserve to have a safe person when they’re processing something scary.

Follow for tips on how!

You are more important to your students’ long-term wellbeing than you realize.

Thank you for being all that you are for them.

#teachersofinstagram #elementaryteachers #teacherresources

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